Technical Communication: Principles and Practice, now in its third edition, discusses the core concepts of technical communication, explaining techniques with the help of numerous examples and practice exercises. With its in-depth coverage and practical orientation, this book is useful not only for students, but also as reference material for corporate training programs.

Meenakshi Raman is Professor and Head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Goa Campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani.

Sangeeta Sharma is an associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani.

1. Basics of Technical Communication
Introduction
Importance of Technical Communication
General and Technical Communication
Objectives and Characteristics of Technical Communication
Process of Communication
Levels of Communication
Flow of Communication
Visual Aids in Technical Communication
Exercises

2. Barriers to Communication
Introduction
Noise
Classification of Barriers

3. Non-verbal Communication
Introduction
Kinesics
Proxemics
Chronemics
Correlating Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Cross-cultural Variations
Exercises

4. Active Listening
Introduction
Reasons for Poor Listening
Traits of a Good Listener
Listening Modes
Types of Listening
Barriers to Effective Listening
Listening for General Content and Specific Information
Exercises


5. Effective Speaking
Introduction
Basic Sounds of English
Word Stress
Sentence Stress
Intonation
Achieving Confidence, Clarity, and Fluency
Vocal Cues
Exercises


6. Conversations and Dialogues
Introduction
Conversations
Telephonic Conversations and Etiquette
Dialogue Writing
Exercises


7. Formal Presentations
Introduction
Planning
Outlining and Structuring
Nuances of Delivery
Controlling Nervousness and Stage Fright
Visual Aids in Presentations
Application on MS PowerPoint
Exercises


8. Interviews
Introduction
Objectives of Interviews
Types of Interviews
Job Interviews
Resumes
Media Interviews
Press Conferences
Exercises


9. Group Communication
Introduction
Forms of Group Communication
Use of Body Language in Group Communication
Discussions
Group Discussions
Organizational GD
GD as Part of Selection Process
Meetings
Conferences
Symposia and Seminars
Brochure
Bulletin
Newsletter
Exercises


10. Reading Comprehension
Introduction
Improving Comprehension Skills
Techniques for Good Comprehension
Predicting the Content
Understanding the Gist
SQ3R Reading Technique
Study Skills
Exercises


11. Elements of Effective Writing
Introduction
Rights Words and Phrases
Sentences
Writing for the Web
Exercises


12. The Art of Condensation
Introduction
Steps to Effective Precis Writing
Guidelines
Samples
Exercises

13. Technical Reports
Introduction
Characteristics of a Report
Categories of Reports
Formats
Prewriting
Structure of Reports
Types of Reports
Writing the Report
Exercises

14. Technical Proposals
Introduction
Definition and Purpose
Types
Characteristics
Structure of Proposals
Style and Appearance
Evaluation of Proposals
Exercises

15. Formal Letters, Memos, and Email
Introduction
Letter Writing
Business Letters
Cover Letters
Memos
Emails
Exercises

16. Research Papers and Technical Descriptions
Introduction
Research Paper
Technical Description

17. Grammar and Vocabulary Development
Introduction
A Brief History of Words
Using the Dictionary and Thesaurus
Changing Words from One Form to Another
Word Formation: Prefixes and Suffixes
Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms
Confusables
One-word Substitutes
Homonyms
Homophones
Eponyms
Phrasal Verbs
Nouns
Gerunds
Infinitives
Subject-verb Agreement
Tenses
Active and Passive Voice
Conditional Sentences
Adjectives and Degrees of Comparison
Adverbs
Conjunctions
Prepositions
Articles
Exercises
1. Basics of Technical Communication
Introduction
Importance of Technical Communication
General and Technical Communication
Objectives and Characteristics of Technical Communication
Process of Communication
Levels of Communication
Flow of Communication
Visual Aids in Technical Communication
Exercises
2. Barriers to Communication
Introduction
Noise
Classification of Barriers
3. Non-verbal Communication
Introduction
Kinesics
Proxemics
Chronemics
Correlating Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Cross-cultural Variations
Exercises
4. Active Listening
Introduction
Reasons for Poor Listening
Traits of a Good Listener
Listening Modes
Types of Listening
Barriers to Effective Listening
Listening for General Content and Specific Information
Exercises
5. Effective Speaking
Introduction
Basic Sounds of English
Word Stress
Sentence Stress
Intonation
Achieving Confidence, Clarity, and Fluency
Vocal Cues
Exercises
6. Conversations and Dialogues
Introduction
Conversations
Telephonic Conversations and Etiquette
Dialogue Writing
Exercises
7. Formal Presentations
Introduction
Planning
Outlining and Structuring
Nuances of Delivery
Controlling Nervousness and Stage Fright
Visual Aids in Presentations
Application on MS PowerPoint
Exercises
8. Interviews
Introduction
Objectives of Interviews
Types of Interviews
Job Interviews
Resumes
Media Interviews
Press Conferences
Exercises
9. Group Communication
Introduction
Forms of Group Communication
Use of Body Language in Group Communication
Discussions
Group Discussions
Organizational GD
GD as Part of Selection Process
Meetings
Conferences
Symposia and Seminars
Brochure
Bulletin
Newsletter
Exercises
10. Reading Comprehension
Introduction
Improving Comprehension Skills
Techniques for Good Comprehension
Predicting the Content
Understanding the Gist
SQ3R Reading Technique
Study Skills
Exercises
11. Elements of Effective Writing
Introduction
Rights Words and Phrases
Sentences
Writing for the Web
Exercises
12. The Art of Condensation
Introduction
Steps to Effective Precis Writing
Guidelines
Samples
Exercises
13. Technical Reports
Introduction
Characteristics of a Report
Categories of Reports
Formats
Prewriting
Structure of Reports
Types of Reports
Writing the Report
Exercises
14. Technical Proposals
Introduction
Definition and Purpose
Types
Characteristics
Structure of Proposals
Style and Appearance
Evaluation of Proposals
Exercises
15. Formal Letters, Memos, and Email
Introduction
Letter Writing
Business Letters
Cover Letters
Memos
Emails
Exercises
16. Research Papers and Technical Descriptions
Introduction
Research Paper
Technical Description
17. Grammar and Vocabulary Development
Introduction
A Brief History of Words
Using the Dictionary and Thesaurus
Changing Words from One Form to Another
Word Formation: Prefixes and Suffixes
Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms
Confusables
One-word Substitutes
Homonyms
Homophones
Eponyms
Phrasal Verbs
Nouns
Gerunds
Infinitives
Subject-verb Agreement
Tenses
Active and Passive Voice
Conditional Sentences
Adjectives and Degrees of Comparison
Adverbs
Conjunctions
Prepositions
Articles
Exercises